The End Is Not the End

Untitled

The End Is Not the End is the third full-length album released on September 23, 2008 by the Christian rock band House of Heroes. After touring for their album, Say No More, the band announced on their MySpace page that they were working on new material. They posted pictures of themselves recording in a studio with supposed ex-member, A.J. Babcock. The band clarified that Babcock is recording vocals and is still contributing musically to the band. A.J. is now listed as the bassist and Jared is now listed as a guitarist.

The band released a sampler on their MySpace of 15 short clips of every song on The End is Not the End. The band released the songs "Code Name Raven", "Leave You Now" and "Lose Control". The band has also released free tracks, via www.freehoh.com, which includes "By Your Side", "In the Valley of the Dying Sun", and "Sooner or Later". The band revealed the official track list and cover art on Zambooie.com when the band made their CD available for pre-order.

Release

The official release date of The End is Not the End was September 23, 2008. Due to distribution issues, the album was only available on iTunes and at live shows at the time. The album is now available on most retailers websites, just not in the actual store. The "online"-store bought version includes two bonus tracks titled "New Moon", and "Ghost." Both of those songs are also on their digital EP The Acoustic End EP. The album is still available on: iTunes, Amazon MP3, and live shows.

The band premiered on the iTunes Top Rock Albums Chart at #7, peaking at #6 the day after their release, and sliding to #11 the following day.

Reception

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
AbsolutePunk.net	(9.2/10) link
Christian Music Zine	(Grade: A)link
Christianity Today	link
Indie Vision Music	(9.5/10) link
Jesus Freak Hideout	link
Soul-Audio	link
Sputnikmusic	link
Music Faith	(10/10) link
The Album Project	(2/5) link

The End Is Not The End has been very well received by critics. AbsolutePunk.net gave it a 92% rating, saying "...it's a record with so much going for it, in terms of quality, quantity and intelligence, substance, etc. ... that it's destined to be the blueprint for how pop music can and should be done, but most likely won't. Open your eyes, pop music creationists: this is how you do it right." SputnikMusic.com rated it five stars, saying "There is hardly any band out there who is daring enough to make an album quite as grandiose as this, and only one in my book who could ever succeed." Jesus Freak Hideout also rated it five stars, saying, "Look for it on a lot of industry top tens at year's end. But you heard it here first . . . The End Is Not the End is easily the best record of 2008."

Track listing

2008 release

1. "Intro" – 0:32
   • Stringed-instrument part of the instrumental interlude in "Baby's a Red"
2. "If" – 3:15 ft. Josh Dun singing
3. "Lose Control" – 3:47
4. "Leave You Now" – 3:02
5. "Dangerous" – 3:46
6. "In the Valley of the Dying Sun" – 4:33
7. "Code Name: Raven" – 4:10
8. "By Your Side" – 3:44
9. "Journey into Space (Part One)" – 4:00
10. "Sooner or Later" – 3:43
11. "Baby's a Red" – 3:38
12. "Drown" – 3:07
13. "Faces" – 3:23
14. "Voices" – 4:31
15. "Field of Daggers" – 5:27
16. "The Young and the Brutal" – 2:46

2009 CD release

1. "Intro" – 0:32
   • Stringed-instrument part of the instrumental interlude in "Baby's a Red"
2. "If" – 3:15
3. "Lose Control" – 3:47
4. "Leave You Now" – 3:02
5. "Dangerous" – 3:46
6. "In the Valley of the Dying Sun" – 4:33
7. "Code Name: Raven" – 4:10
8. "By Your Side" – 3:44
9. "Journey into Space (Part One)" – 4:00
10. "Sooner or Later" – 3:43
11. "Baby's a Red" – 3:38
12. "Drown" – 3:07
13. "Faces" – 3:23
14. "Voices" – 4:31
15. "Field of Daggers" – 8:44
16. "New Moon" – 3:40
17. "Ghost" – 4:42